SOCIAL

  O.D. SCENE

THE ENTERTAINING SIDE OF OPTOMETRY

Q&A

“The Future’s So Bright, You’ve Gotta Wear Shades,” is a paraphrased version of a popular 1980s’ pop song Schaeffer Eye Center used for a campaign for high school seniors who made good grades. That said, the paraphrased song title holds true for our great profession when one looks at the upcoming educational leaders who have formed “The Intrepid Eye Society” (see intrepideyesociety.com).

This group is dedicated to promoting excellence and growth in the field of optometry through sharing their thoughts on therapeutics, diagnostics, practice development and research and development. Most recently, their focus has been on anterior segment disease, dry eye disease, retinal disease and glaucoma.

I have met most of Intrepid’s members, and I have been impressed with their level of focus. Through the next couple months, I’ll introduce you to some of them.

Jack Schaeffer, O.D., F.A.A.O.,
Editor-in-Chief
O.D. Scene

OPTOMETRY CONSULTANTS WEIGH IN . . .

MICHAEL COOPER, O.D.,
LESLIE O’DELL, O.D.
JUSTIN SCHWEITZER, O.D.

Q: WHY DID YOU JOIN THE INTREPID EYE SOCIETY?

MC: I liked the idea of optometric leaders banding together from modes of practice ranging from retail to academia to vision alliances to O.D./M.D. practices to share clinical and research experiences. The unique component that ties everything together is the ever-evolving concept of collaborative or integrative care.

LO: Intrepid is a group of dedicated optometrists with a passion to further the profession by collaborating through the research and education of our peers and ourselves. Passion + Purpose.

JS: I am passionate about integrative and collaborative care between optometry and ophthalmology, providing education to my peers, research and continual learning and bettering myself as an optometrist. It is a group of other O.D.s who have those same values, and that is why I wanted to start and be a part of it.

1: Dr. Cooper and wife, Janice. 2: Dr. Schweitzer and son, Luke.
3: Dr. O’Dell and husband, Matt.

Q: PART OF THE GROUP’S MISSION STATEMENT IS COLLABORATIVE CARE WITH OPHTHALMOLOGY. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT’S IMPORTANT?

MC: Honestly throughout time, ophthalmology and optometry have been wayward brothers and sisters that work better together than apart. Reaching across the aisle to share our expertise can only strengthen the patient experience.

LO: Collaborative care is the future of eye care with the increasing number of patients needing ocular surgeries and the reduction in available ophthalmologists to provide these services. Optometrists can reduce the burden and manage non-surgical eye care to free up surgical time for our colleagues.

JS: The U.S. population of 50 years old and greater is going to expand significantly by 2025. In order for eye care providers, which includes optometry and ophthalmology, to be able to provide the best care possible, it is imperative that collaborative care exists. . .

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR SPECIAL INTERESTS IN PRACTICE?

MC: My special interests are within ocular surface disease and uveitis treatment and management today, tomorrow and the future. Invariably, I am fascinated by how inflammatory processes manifest themselves from both an ocular and systemic perspective.

LO: Dry Eye. I joined a progressive O.D. group practice this past year, and started the Dry Eye Center of Pa.

JS: Glaucoma. One of the main reasons I joined Vance Thompson Vision was for the opportunity to participate in clinical research in glaucoma, as well as to treat and to manage it on a daily basis.

Q: WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU WERE GIVEN ABOUT PRACTICING OPTOMETRY?

MC: Learn from your mistakes and, more importantly, do not maim or blind anyone.

LO: Keep your goals patient-centered, always striving to provide the best care and services to your patients, and the success will follow.

JS: Patients place a lot of trust in you… always do the right thing.

Q: FOLLOWING THE STATEMENT, “I WISH I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW,” WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF WITH REGARD TO OPTOMETRY?

MC: Stand up for yourself. There are times as a young doctor where a patient might want to skew the conversation or care. I have learned to be the doctor and not be “doctored.”

LO: Change is good, whether it is challenging existing standards of care for the diseases we treat or changing employment for professional growth. Don’t be afraid of change.

JS: Be confident in clinical care. There was a lack of confidence in my early years of practice, but looking back, there was no need for it.

Q: WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO THE PRACTICE OF OPTOMETRY TODAY?

MC: The consolidation and squeezing nature of the managed care industry. All we can do is work through these challenging headwinds and make the necessary adjustments to stay ahead of the curve.

LO: Scope of practice and how very slow the legislative process is to make changes to better the profession and to better serve our patients.

JS: One development that sticks out in my mind is the emergence of online spectacle lens companies, online eye exams and online contact lens companies. This has caused many optometrists to focus more than ever on the medical eye care model.

Q: DO YOU HAVE AN OPTOMETRIC MENTOR AND, IF SO, HOW HAS THIS PERSON HELPED YOU?

MC: Dr. John Marabello. He taught me how to balance the business and patient relationship in an effective and confident manner. Also, Dr. Walt Whitley has and continues to be a guiding force for me in developing confidence no matter if it is writing or live speaking.

LO: I am blessed with many mentors: Andy Gurwood, Tony Litwak, Kelliann Dignam, Art Epstein, Milton Hom and Paul Karpecki.

JS: Scot Morris O.D., and Walter Whitely, O.D., have not only been mentors to me, but friends. John Berdahl, M.D., at Vance Thompson Vision, has also been extremely influential.

1: The Schweitzer family.
2: Hannah and Joshua Cooper.
3: Dr. O’Dell with William and Anna.

Q: WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF OUR PROFESSION?

MC: The keys to our success will be recognizing and pivoting on how to best develop as members of the interprofessional team for our patients.

LO: Continued expanded scope of practice and a push toward preventative care.

JS: I have a strong belief that optometry and ophthalmology will need to continue to work together in an integrated eye care model.

Q: WHO ARE THE MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY, AND WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN?

MC: I have been married for nine years to my wife, Janice, who is an amazing baker and my hero for taking care of our two children, Hannah (5) and Joshua (3), while I’m away for speaking engagements. We like to call Hannah the “grand negotiator,” as she can talk her way out of anything. Joshua is already partaking Parkour activities that keep my wife and I up late at night. For fun, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching soccer and hockey.

LO: I am married to my high school sweetheart, Matt. We have two children, Anna (8) and William (5), who are the centers of our world. For fun, I love to go to the beach, listen to live music and enjoy time with friends and family.

JS: I am married to Nissa. We have two children. Paige is 7, and Luke is 4. They keep us moving on a daily basis! For fun, I am a passionate Minnesota Vikings fan, I hunt and participate in triathlons.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE, BOOK, BAND AND ADULT BEVERAGE?

MC: Movie: “Batman Begins,” Book: “The Odyssey;” Band: “The Chainsmokers” and “Disclosure,” Adult beverage: Old Fashioned (with Basil Hayden)

LO: Movie: Any sappy Lifetime movie (I am always up for a good cry); Book: The Bible; Band: Pearl Jam and The Avett Brothers; Adult beverage: red wine - pinot noir

JS: Movie: “Heat;” Book: “Born to Run,” Band: Mumford and Sons; Adult beverage: sour beers. OM